Domestic rats don't live all too long, maybe 2-3 years in North America and 3-5 in the UK. Bug was a ripe old girl when she passed. Her owner, Jessica, has a lot of photoseries on her other rats if you want more pictures.

They are awesome pets! Try to feed them mostly the cubes that are made specifically for them, and dust free litter is a must ("Yesterdays News" is my choice). They are very inexpensive, and easy to care for. I feed them once a day, and change the water every 2 weeks or so. The feeding can be automated if you prefer. I like to bathe mine when I clean the cage but this is optional. I change the litter once a month (I have gone 3+ before I noticed an odor using the above mentioned litter).

I use to think they were unsavory, but I had a roommate that had one, and completely changed my mind. Please try to buy them mycoplasma free from a lab, as watching them die slowly from this debilitating disease can be heart-wrenching!

They are also very social animals, so it is best to buy them in pairs (same sex unless you plan on having babies overflowing your cage). Males are more docile and attention seeking, while females are more active, and playful.

I have two. I use to think they were dirty, unlovable, and creepy (because they stare), but then I had a roommate with one, and completely changed my mind. Some of them are very dirty, and leave pee/poop trails everywhere, while others are very clean and tidy. They are also very cute, loving, affectionate, like to please, smart and easy to train. I also found out that they are not staring, because they have poor eyesight.

I only wish it were easier to find them without mycoplasma. It is seriously heart-wrenching to watch them die a slow and debilitating death. The disease can be managed, but they all eventually succumb. If anyone plans on having them as a pet please buy them mycoplasma free from a lab!

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